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Deborah Coughlin

Over the course of one month I travelled through wind, rain and snow to visit 18 members of the all girl choir Gaggle in and around London. Deborah Coughlin, was the 3rd member to be visited.

Deborah is the founder of Gaggle, she lives in Bow, East London. She moved into her flat 3 months previously, with her boyfriend. Deborah tells me about her love of the Spice Girls, manic tour bus experiences and a Christmas party at her flat that involved a giant ham.

When and how did you join Gaggle?
In 2008 I created Gaggle.

What does your bedroom mean to you?
My bedroom is the place I can be myself. Everyone should play dress up, dance around, be naked or be ill and moany and feel totally happy being all those things in their bedroom.

Is there an object in your bedroom that particularly means something to you?
Notebooks. Keeping since 12 years old… well forever really. I’ve been clearing out everything from my childhood and found notebooks filled with ideas about everything from the Lockerbie disaster to Kylie – anything that happened in my world from the perspective of a little girl in the 80s. I always have a notebook, my new one right now is so nice, orange and soft leather, and it has notes on all the things I’m making right now.

What makes you happy?
Feeling close to, and understood by, my friends.

When did you last cry and why?
Just now because I am ill and I can’t go to A History’s show at the Roundhouse.

What song do you always go back to?
Neon Blondes Chandeliers and Vines – some people think the vocals just sound like screaming – I think its one of the most passionate vocal performances – it makes sense to me – I get it.

What is your favourite word?
Right this minute? It’s – Spa.

If you could invite anyone into your bedroom who would it be and why?
A decorator. I thought when we moved in here that I would be at the redecorating like Sarah Beeny. It turns out I hate sanding walls.

What would you save if your bedroom were on fire and why?
Arabian Nights… My great grandma made things, and collected books, and had a bookstore. When I was little, round her house in Wales, with its outdoor loo, range and coal fires, she decided to give me a very old copy of the Arabian Nights, printed in 1853. This is not a normal present for a seven year old. I wish she knew how important this present was to me now.

What keeps you awake at night?
Worrying. I can worry about anything.

Naked or bed clothes?
Each can be perfect under the right circumstances.